GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CLEARWATER UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, WORKSHOP AND HEARINGS
Clearwater UWCD, in order to maintain governmental transparency and continued government operation while reducing face-to-face contact for government open meetings, is implementing measures according to guidelines set forth by the Office of the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott. In accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has suspended various open-meetings provisions that require government officials and members of the public to be physically present at a specified meeting location. CUWCD’s adherence to the Governor’s guidance temporary suspension procedure ensures public accessibility and opportunity to participate in CUWCD’s open meeting, workshop and hearings.
Members of the public wishing to make public comment during the meeting must register by emailing schapman@cuwcd.org prior to 11:30 a.m. on October 14, 2020. This meeting will be recorded and the audio will be available online http://www.cuwcd.org or by requesting a copy from daaron@cuwcd.org . A copy of the agenda packet is available on the CUWCD’s website prior to the meeting.
You may join CUWCD’s Board meeting as follows:
CUWCD Regular Board Workshop, Public Hearing and Business Meeting
The Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District (CUWCD) will hold a public hearing and consider adopting proposed revisions to the District Management Plan at 1:30 p.m., October 14, 2020 in the Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District (CUWCD) headquarters located at 700 Kennedy Court, Belton, Texas. Copies of the revised Management Plan are available for review at the CUWCD office and on the CUWCD website at www.cuwcd.org . Contact the CUWCD at 254/933-0120 for additional information.
Dated: October 2, 2020
CLEARWATER UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Dirk Aaron, General Manager Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors
GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN CLEARWATER UNDERGROUND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD MEETING, WORKSHOP AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
Clearwater UWCD, in order to maintain governmental transparency and continued government operation while reducing face-to-face contact for government open meetings, is implementing measures according to guidelines set forth by the Office of the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott. In accordance with section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, Governor Abbott has suspended various open-meetings provisions that require government officials and members of the public to be physically present at a specified meeting location. CUWCD’s adherence to the Governor’s guidance temporary suspension procedure ensures public accessibility and opportunity to participate in CUWCD’s open meeting, workshop and public hearings.
Members of the public wishing to make public comment during the meeting must register by emailing schapman@cuwcd.org prior to 11:30 a.m. on October 14, 2020. This meeting will be recorded and the audio will be available online http://www.cuwcd.org or by requesting a copy from daaron@cuwcd.org . A copy of the agenda packet is available on the CUWCD’s website prior to the meeting.
You may join CUWCD’s Board Public Hearing as follows:
CUWCD Regular Board Workshop, Public Hearing and Business Meeting
The Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District was created by the 71st Texas Legislature on June 14, 1989 by HB 3172. A temporary Board of Directors was appointed in June 1999, to serve until the CUWCD was confirmed by the voters of Bell County. The voters confirmed the District’s creation in August 1999, at which time five directors were elected.
The May 4, 2002 election was the first election that the directors were elected from the four county commissioner precincts, with one director elected at-large. Terms were staggered to ensure continuity in the operation of the Board. Directors serve a four year term, while the officer positions are elected by the Board each year.
The Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District (CUWCD) will be accepting applications for candidates seeking the director positions for Precincts 1 and 3. The CUWCD precincts mirror the county commissioner precincts in Bell County. The filing period begins July 17 and ends August 17th, for both director positions in Precinct 1 and Precinct 3. Filing for these positions is necessary for a place on the ballot and subsequent Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. The five CUWCD Directors serve four-year terms. The terms are staggered with positions in Precincts 1 and 3 up for election this year, and Precincts 2, 4 and At-Large will be up for election in 2022.
Precinct 1 current office holder is Mr. Leland Gersbach of Holland Texas and has served on the board since 2004 and has also been the board’s president since 2010. Precinct 3 office holder is Mr. Jody Williams, of Rogers. Mr. Williams was appointed to the board to serve the unexpired term for Mr. Wallace Biskup who resigned from the board for health reasons in 2018.
The district’s general manager, Dirk Aaron, serves as the filing officer (assistant secretary to the Board of Directors) and will except applications at the district headquarters during normal business hours. Applicants for a place on the ballot must be United States citizens, resident of the precinct for which there are applying for and registered to vote in the same precinct they wish to serve. Complete information on elections for political subdivisions such as CUWCD can be viewed at: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/index.shtml
The applications must be delivered in person to the District office no sooner than 8:00 am on July 17th and prior to close of business on August 17th, 2020 (5:00pm). More information on the district and current board of directors can be accessed at http://www.cuwcd.org
The Clearwater Underground Water Conservation District (CUWCD) was formed in 1989 to protect and manage the groundwater resources of Bell County. The District regulates water well drilling, spacing and pumping. It also provides groundwater conservation strategies, groundwater production and groundwater quality and all groundwater well registrations.
The District supports and promotes public education and conservation of all groundwater resources in Bell County. Groundwater resources include portions of two major aquifers – the Edwards (Balcones Fault Zone BFZ) and the three defined layers of the Trinity. The District governs on the basis of Board direction per the district rules and a management plan per Chapter 36 Texas Water Code.
The District manages groundwater resources for the benefit of its constituents and the common good of groundwater users throughout Bell County. Its powers are defined in Chapter 36 of the Texas Water Code and its jurisdiction is Bell County, about 1,055 square miles. The five member Board of Directors sets policy and a professional staff manages day-to-day operations. The District hired Dirk Aaron, as General Manager in May of 2011 and moved forward to their new facility in April of 2012. Mr. Aaron, and his administrative assistant, Shelly Chapman, manage the day to day operation of the District with a staff of four. The Board of Directors meet monthly and all board meetings are posted on the District website cuwcd.org
Filing applications are available at the CUWCD office in Belton at 700 Kennedy Court starting on May 29th. Feel free to contact CUWCD at 254-933-0120 for additional information or visit the CUWCD website at http://www.cuwcd.org
The District is responsible for the management of groundwater in Bell County, Texas. The District’s mission is to “develop and implement an efficient, economical and environmentally sound groundwater management program to protect and enhance the water resources of the district.”
